Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degrees (EMJMD)
The Erasmus Mundus program offers fully funded master’s degrees in Europe, including programs in cybersecurity with strong modules in ethical hacking and penetration testing. Applicants can choose from consortiums of universities across multiple countries.
- Coverage: Tuition, travel allowance, monthly stipend
- Eligibility: Bachelor’s degree in computer science or related field
- Relevant Programs:
- Cybersecurity (SECCLO – Security and Cloud Computing)
- Cyberus (Joint Master in Cybersecurity)
DAAD Scholarships for International Students – Germany
Germany remains one of the most attractive destinations for cybersecurity education. The DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service) offers a wide range of scholarships for master’s and PhD programs in IT security, penetration testing, and applied cryptography.
- Coverage: Full tuition, €934 monthly stipend, travel allowance, insurance
- Top Institutions:
- Ruhr University Bochum (Master in IT Security)
- Technical University of Munich (Informatics with Security specialization)
ETH Zurich Excellence Scholarship & Opportunity Programme (ESOP)
ETH Zurich offers prestigious scholarships to students pursuing advanced research in cybersecurity, with opportunities to work in labs focused on penetration testing, secure systems, and applied cryptography.
- Coverage: Tuition fee waiver, CHF 12,000 annual stipend
- Eligibility: Outstanding academic record, bachelor’s in STEM
- Focus Areas: Secure systems engineering, ethical hacking labs
Royal Holloway, University of London – Cybersecurity Scholarships
Royal Holloway offers scholarships through its Centre for Cyber Security, which is recognized by the UK’s National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC). Its programs include modules in ethical hacking, malware analysis, and penetration testing.
- Coverage: Partial and full tuition scholarships
- Notable Program: MSc in Information Security
- Funding Options: Chevening Scholarships, university-specific awards
Politecnico di Milano Merit-Based Scholarships – Italy
Politecnico di Milano’s MSc in Computer Science and Engineering includes specializations in cybersecurity and ethical hacking. High-ranking applicants are automatically considered for merit scholarships.
- Coverage: €5,000–€10,000 annual stipend, tuition waiver
- Eligibility: Strong academic background, English proficiency
- Relevant Labs: Software security, cyber risk, and ethical hacking
Cyber Security MSc at KU Leuven – Belgium
KU Leuven offers a research-led cybersecurity program where students explore penetration testing, network security, and secure coding practices. The university is part of European cybersecurity research networks.
- Scholarships: KU Leuven Global Minds, Science@Leuven Scholarships
- Coverage: Tuition, €10,000–€12,000 stipend, insurance
- Selection Criteria: Academic merit, research alignment
Czech Technical University in Prague – Cybernetics and Robotics Scholarships
CTU Prague offers programs with tracks in secure communications, embedded systems security, and ethical hacking. It attracts funding from both EU projects and Czech national grants.
- Coverage: Full tuition scholarships, research assistantships
- Language: English-taught programs
- Funding Source: Czech Ministry of Education, EU Horizon projects
Tallinn University of Technology (TalTech) – Estonia
TalTech’s MSc in Cybersecurity, run in collaboration with the University of Tartu, includes advanced penetration testing courses and cyber defense training. Estonia is recognized globally for its digital infrastructure and cybersecurity leadership.
- Coverage: Full tuition waiver, €300–€660 monthly stipend
- Special Features: Cyber Range simulation labs, government-funded programs
Norway Quota Scheme & NTNU Scholarships
Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) offers scholarships through institutional support and public funding for cybersecurity and digital forensics tracks.
- Coverage: Full tuition, living expenses
- Courses Offered: Penetration testing, cryptography, network security
- Requirement: Admission to MSc in Information Security
University of Twente – Holland Scholarship
University of Twente in the Netherlands runs an MSc in Cybersecurity as part of the 4TU Cyber Security Master specialization. Students can apply for the Holland Scholarship and other Dutch research grants.
- Coverage: €5,000–€22,000 per year depending on program
- Relevant Modules: Ethical Hacking, PenTesting Labs, Threat Intelligence
- Industry Links: Cybercrime Centre, European Horizon programs
Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships
Switzerland offers competitive scholarships for international students pursuing master’s and doctoral research in cybersecurity and information assurance. ETH Zurich, EPFL, and University of Lausanne all offer penetration testing projects.
- Coverage: Tuition fee waiver, monthly stipend, accommodation allowance
- Eligibility: Excellent academic credentials, research proposal in cybersecurity
University of Luxembourg – Interdisciplinary Centre for Security, Reliability and Trust (SnT)
Luxembourg is home to SnT, one of Europe’s most advanced cybersecurity research institutes. Students receive stipends through project-based funding, with a focus on ethical hacking, penetration testing automation, and cyber risk assessment.
- Coverage: Research assistantship, tuition, living stipend
- Collaboration: Partnerships with industry and EU cybersecurity agencies
European Union Cybersecurity Traineeships and Scholarships
Several EU-funded initiatives offer scholarships and internships in ethical hacking, cyber defense, and digital infrastructure security. These are often tied to Horizon Europe or Digital Europe programs.
- Programs Include:
- European Cybersecurity Skills Academy
- ENISA Internship Program
- EU-Funded Doctoral Networks
- Coverage: Stipend-based, full-time fellowships or traineeships
- Access: Through university affiliations or national nominations
